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Boulder cop on leave following accidental shooting in Highlands Ranch

Victim remains in critical condition following Friday night incident

By Mitchell Byars, Camera Staff Writer

Posted:
05/06/2013 10:25:26 AM MDT

Updated:
05/06/2013 07:18:09 PM MDT

A Highlands Ranch man remains in critical condition and a Boulder police officer is on leave after what investigators believe was an accidental shooting on Friday night involving the off-duty officer's personal handgun.

Douglas County sheriff's were called to a house on Spring Grove Avenue in Highlands Ranch around 7 p.m. Friday on a report of a gunshot, according to Douglas County Sgt. Ron Hanavan.

One man was transported to a local hospital with a gunshot wound and was still listed in critical condition Monday, according to Hanavan.

Hanavan said the gun that went off belonged to an off-duty Boulder police officer who was at the scene. The weapon was not issued by the department, and the Boulder officer has not been identified.

A friend of the victim told 7News that the off-duty officer, the victim and a friend were installing a strut bar on the officer's car. The victim was inside the vehicle when the other friend was trying to access an area in the trunk and shifted some of the officer's gear.

According to 7News, a gun inside of the trunk fired, shooting the victim in the torso.

Hanavan could not confirm those details Monday and said investigators are still looking into how the gun went off. But Hanavan did say that, at this time, the shooting appears to be accidental. He said a decision on whether charges will be filed will be made after the investigation is complete.

Douglas County has not yet released the name of either the victim or the officer involved in the shooting.

Boulder police issued a statement indicating the officer has been placed on administrative leave pending the investigation.

"A Boulder police officer was at the scene of what the Douglas County Sheriff's Office is investigating as an accidental shooting," Boulder police spokeswoman Kim Kobel wrote in an email to the Daily Camera. "Currently, the officer is on administrative leave."

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